GreenCarPlanet.com

Following six years of intensive research and development, Chang’an Automobile, the Chinese state-owned automaker, has started mass production of its mild-hybrid Jie Xun mini wagon - the first such vehicle by a Chinese car company. Estimated to consume 20% less gas than comparable conventional vehicles, the Jie Xun will come standard with regenerative braking, power assistance and a host of other functions.

A partner of Ford Motor and Mazda Motor, the Chang’an group is China’s largest mini-van builder and is based in Chongqing. While demand for hybrids remains negligible in China - with most new owners opting for sportier, flashy vehicles or cheaper conve…

Just as promised, beginning in January General Motors will be providing 100 people with the Equinox Fuel Cell crossover, their answer to Honda’s FCX Clarity, for free, three-month tests (No, they won’t get to keep the cars). While Honda will soon be leasing the Clarity to select customers in Southern California, G.M. will be giving the Equinox to people that have been “active in its online forums for fuel-cell vehicles.” (They …

They have been the great H2 hope for years, the Ballard fuel cell. They are in Hondas, Mercedes and Mitsubishis. Yet as the hydrogen hype grows, this industry leader’s stock has declined from $210 in 2000 to around $5 today. Now they are in talks with part owners Daimler and Ford to dump the automotive fuel cell business. Analyst John Hykawy says “The problem has always been, can you do it for a cost that matters to anybody and the jury is still out on that one, and the other side is that once you have it in the car, can you actually make hydrogen at …